by Elise Fabbro
The cupcake trend has made its appearance in Las Vegas, where I fully expected to try over-the-top cupcakes. I ventured to “The Cupcakery” at the Monte Carlo, where I ordered a Carrot Cupcake (called the Bugsy) and a red velvet cupcake (called the Southern Belle).
Overall, the Bugsy was a great, classic cupcake. It was moist, but could have been better if there was an addition of raisins. I do understand that I am in the minority for liking raisins, but in Vegas, shouldn’t I be able to get exactly the cupcake I want at any hour of the day?
The Southern Belle, unfortunately, did not come with Southern charm. The fluorescent red color was both alarming and evidence the baker got a little too excited about the addition of red food dye. Somehow, this is The Cupcakery’s best selling cupcake. This cupcakery stands out with its unexplained strange names such as “bugsy” and the “good morning cupcake”.
Atmosphere – 1
This small cupcakery is difficult to find if you are not staying at the hotel. It takes up a small corner in the hallway, and then extends its assortment of tables out to make it seem bigger. While I imagine guests would run across this cupcakery while meandering through the hotel, it is not easily accessible by the public. As with most Vegas hotels, you have to navigate through a huge casino. The Monte Carlo then has a maze of pathways of shops, and at one dead end is this cupcakery. But, it is relatively quiet (for Vegas), away from the smoke of the casino, and they have a bunch of tables to sit at. They did not, however, offer me a plate and a fork which I was somewhat annoyed by (what if my cupcake falls on the table???). And really, can you be that unhappy in Vegas while eating cupcakes? I didn’t think so.
Moistness of the cupcake – 3
The Bugsy was a splendid cupcake. It had all the right attributes: it was fluffy, yet moist, and flavorful but not overwhelming. The Southern Belle, on the other hand, had a strong taste and texture of cornmeal. It was pretty much rock solid and chewy. Anything “solid” or “chewy” in the world of cupcakes, to me, is pretty much a fail. Surprisingly it tasted fine, so I believe it may have been an old cupcake. But why do you have an old cupcake out?? There certainly must be company rules on the shelf life of a cupcake.
Frosting – 2
The cream cheese frosting on the Bugsy and the Southern Belle was delightful – sweet and smooth, exactly as cream cheese frosting should be. They unfortunately hurt the frosting experience on the Bugsy by dusting it with crunchy sprinkles that looked like plastic shavings. I am not a fan of crunchy sprinkles, or sprinkles that look like plastic, so I was not amused. Why not nut shavings? Or dusting it with chopped walnuts? It would have been a much more appropriate and tasty adornment.
Packaging – 2
Just your regular cupcake wrapper. Nothing to dislike, but nothing to amaze.
Feeling after eating the cupcake – 2
After the Bugsy, I was fully satisfied, but not overwhelmed. The Southern Belle with its cornmeal taste and texture was so far from satisfying, and left my mouth dry and certainly asking for water.
Overall Rating: 2.4
My experience at The Cupcakery is an adequate analogy to gambling in Vegas – sometimes you win big, and sometimes you eat cornmeal. Just hope you bet on the right hand or order the right cupcake, and it makes your trip worth it. But it is Vegas, who visits without expectation of a little risk?
The Cupcakery at the Monte Carlo
3770 Las Vegas Blvd, South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Price: $3.00 per cupcake
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